Charles “Chuck” J. McDonald, 87, of St. Mary’s Ridge, Cashton, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
Chuck was born May 21, 1930, to Gordon and Verona (Snyder) McDonald in La Crosse County. He graduated from Viroqua High School in 1949. Chuck entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict. Following this, he was employed by Robertson Saw Mill in De Soto and drove school bus, where he met his best friend and future wife, Arlene Kromke. They were married on July 31, 1954, at St. Matthew’s Parsonage in Stoddard.
Chuck was a member and former commander of Ontario American Legion Post 467 and a life member of Cashton VFW.
Chuck’s working career encompassed many different areas, including welding, farming, mechanic work, and truck driving. Later he joined the Carpenters’ Local 1143 in La Crosse. Chuck worked in construction and millwright work for many years and continued farming with his family as well.
Chuck and Arlene established roots when they purchased a farm on St. Mary’s Ridge in 1969. Chuck was a talented welder who was sought out by many over the last 20 years to do on-site welding for various local projects. Although Chuck worked very hard in his life, his family always came first. He truly loved his wife and family with his whole heart and he will be sadly missed by many.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Arlene, of 63 years; his children, Jeff (Sandy) of Wilton, Delores (Jim) Larvick of Sparta, Rod (Lynn) of Green Lake, Wis., Jerry (Michelle) of Superior, Wis., Mike of Perryville, Mo., and Patrick (Heather) of Eau Claire; his siblings, Norman (Kiyo) of Puyallup, Wash., Kenny (Margaret Ann) of Kenosha, Wis., Ed of Belvidere, Ill., Alice (Dale) Long of Stoddard, Clifford of La Crosse, Allen of Arizona and Helen (Mike) Cooley of Las Cruces, N.M.; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and dear friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Ione Mae; his in-laws, Fred and Alda Kromke; sons, Brian (infant) and Dennis; his infant granddaughters, Margaret and Angeline; his brother, Chet, and his wife, Carol; his brother, Richard; and an infant great-grandson, Chase.
Chuck’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Mount Pisgah Wesleyan Church in rural Ontario. Pastor Bob Streeter will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario.
Family and friends are invited for visitation Sunday, Nov. 19, from 1–4 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Visitation also will be held Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Lunch at the Ontario Community Hall will follow the burial. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
